Objectives: To stem the progressive encroachment on and loss of wetlands. Summary of provisions: The Convention covers 'wetlands', a term which is defined in article 1. Each Contracting Party agrees to designate at least one national wetland for inclusion in a List of Wetlands of International Importance (art.2.1), and to consider its international responsibility for the conservation, management, wise use of migratory stocks of wildfowl when modifying the content of the List (art.2.6). Contracting Parties undertake to establish nature reserves in order to conserve wetland resources and to increase waterfowl populations through management. Parties further agree to co-operate in the exchange of information as well as in the implementation of the Convention, especially in the case of wetland extending over the territories of more than one Contracting Party, and to train personnel competent in the fields of wetland management and research (art. 4 and 5). Institutional mechanism: A Conference of Parties is established (art.6). The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources is designated to perform the bureau duties under the Convention (art.8)